EDELSTEIN — A passerby found the body of a 28-year-old Peoria man in a rural Edelstein cornfield Wednesday morning less than a mile from where the dead man’s van had become stuck in the snow.

The death of James E. Clark Jr., who has previously listed addresses in towns in Stark County but was currently living with a girlfriend at 8503 N. Selkirk Drive in North Peoria, is under investigation by the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office.

A farmer driving on Akron Road just west of its intersection with Illinois Route 40 first noticed the body less than 100 feet into the barren field north of the road about 8:10 a.m. and called police.

Clark was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:13 a.m., according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll. An autopsy to determine a preliminary cause of death is scheduled for Thursday.

The body did not have any obvious signs of injury, Ingersoll said. Clark was wearing a sweatshirt and jeans but no winter coat.

His van was found stuck in snow on Hakes Road south of that road’s intersection with Akron Road — less than a mile from where the body was found.

Clark last spoke with his girlfriend about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, and was gone from their home when she returned to the residence about 8 p.m. He had not been reported missing by the time the body was found.

Investigators handle all unusual deaths as suspicious, but will have a better idea how to treat this incident following an autopsy, Peoria County Sheriff’s Capt. Mark Greskoviak said.

“It’s a death investigation — that’s the best we can say on it at this time,” Greskoviak said.

Matt Buedel can be reached at 686-3154 or mbuedel@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @JournoBuedel.